Manchester United booed off after friendly loss in Malaysia
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Manchester United's Kobbie Mainoo in action against Asean All Star's Amani Aguinaldo.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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KUALA LUMPUR – Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim admitted that his team deserved to be booed, as they suffered fresh embarrassment in losing 1-0 to a South-east Asian XI in Kuala Lumpur on May 28 in front of 72,550 football fans.
The Red Devils, who finished 15th in the English Premier League for their worst season since 1974, looked lethargic and devoid of ideas in the gruelling heat during the first stop of their Asian tour.
Some fans at Bukit Jalil National Stadium left before the end and there were boos at the final whistle.
United have struggled for goals all year and it was more evidence why they are reportedly prepared to shell out £62.5 million (S$100 million) on Brazilian international attacker Matheus Cunha from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Amorim, who was clearly frustrated during the match and shook his head at times, refused to confirm the Cunha deal.
The Portuguese coach was happy, though, to leave the Malaysian capital and head to Hong Kong with no new injuries and had no issue with fans booing his team off.
“We were slow and we still don’t have it in us to win every exercise in training, every game,” he said.
“The boos from the fans, it’s something that we need.”
He added: “These people believe in Manchester United no matter what the context.
“It’s our duty to improve the team and to improve the team next season. For me, we need to have that belief, that hunger to win every game, that is important.”
Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes after the match.
PHOTO: REUTERS
In their first of two post-season games in Asia, United started with several regulars including Harry Maguire, Rasmus Hojlund, Casemiro, Diogo Dalot, Manuel Ugarte, Kobbie Mainoo and Andre Onana.
In temperatures of 32 deg C at kick-off, it was the Asean All Stars who looked more threatening in the first half.
United were better in the second half but the South-east Asian side stunned the visitors in the 71st minute when Burmese attacker Maung Maung Lwin fired into the top corner past Tom Heaton.
Fans cheering in the stands before the May 28 match.
PHOTO: AFP
As for the Cunha deal, the BBC reported United will pay the fee in three instalments over the next two years after Wolves rejected a proposal to split the payment over five years.
Cunha scored 17 goals to help haul Wolves out of a relegation battle as they finished behind United only on goal difference in the Premier League table.
However, the 26-year-old has made no secret of his desire to move on from Molineux.
“I’ve made it clear that I need to take the next step,” he told the Guardian in March.
“I want to fight for titles, for big things. I have potential.”
Next up, Amorim’s men play the Hong Kong team on May 30. AFP
All-Stars Maung Maung Lwin (left) celebrates after scoring the only goal of the match.
PHOTO: AFP
